Collapsible disposable litter container

Abstract

A collapsible, disposable receptacle for the deposition, containment and disposal of the excrement of house pets is provided, having a frame comprising a tray with a bottom, sides and ends and side panels hingedly attached to the sides of the tray. The frame is enveloped in a flexible sheet adapted to form a collapsible tent supported by free ends of the side panels when extended and spanning therebetween, presenting an opening adjacent to one end of the tray, such that when the side panels are extended an enclosed space is created with an opening for entry and exit of the pet and when the side panels are collapsed the side panels and the flexible sheet form a closure for the tray for storage of unsoiled litter or disposal of soiled litter.

I claim: 
     
       1. A receptacle for the excrement of house pets, comprising: a tray having a floor and opposing sides and ends,   side panels hingedly attached to the sides of the tray, each side panel having a free end and being adapted to swing from a collapsed position, forming at least a partial closure for the tray, to an extended position,   means for maintaining the side panels in the extended position, and   a sheet of flexible material forming a collapsible tent supported by and attached to the free ends of the extended panels and spanning therebetween, and presenting an opening between the side panels adjacent to one end of the tray   wherein when the side panels are extended an enclosed space is created with an opening for entry and exit of the house pet, and when the side panels are collapsed the tray is covered by the side panels and the flexible sheet for storage of unsoiled litter or disposal of soiled litter.   
     
     
       2. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein means for retaining the side panels in the extended position comprises retaining flaps hingedly attached to the side panels. 
     
     
       3. A receptacle as defined in claim 2 wherein the retaining flaps are each adapted to swing from a collapsed position adjacent to the respective side panel to an extended position. 
     
     
       4. A receptacle as defined in claim 3 wherein each retaining flap is provided with an extension protruding from a lower margin thereof adapted to be lodged between an end of the tray and the tent when the retaining flap is in the extended position. 
     
     
       5. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein means for retaining the side panels in the extended position comprises a rod including means for engaging the free ends of the side panels. 
     
     
       6. A receptacle as defined in claim 5 wherein means for engaging the free ends of the side panels comprises clip formations. 
     
     
       7. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein the tray and side panels are composed of cardboard. 
     
     
       8. A receptacle as defined in claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the tray is covered with a water resistant film. 
     
     
       9. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein the tent includes a threshold barrier extending along a lower portion of the opening. 
     
     
       10. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible material is composed of plastic. 
     
     
       11. A receptacle as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible material comprises an odor absorbing material. 
     
     
       12. A receptacle for the excrement of house pets, comprising: a frame including a tray having a floor and opposing sides and ends and side panels hingedly attached to the sides of the tray, each side panel having a free end and being adapted to swing from a collapsed position, forming at least a partial closure for the tray, to an extended position, and means for retaining the side panels in an extended position, wherein the side panels support a sheet of flexible material forming a collapsible tent attached to the frame and presenting an opening between the side panels adjacent to one end of the tray to create an enclosed space with an opening for entry and exit of the house pet.   
     
     
       13. A receptacle for the excrement of house pets, comprising, in combination, a tray having a floor and opposing sides and ends, side panels hingedly attached to the sides of the tray, each side panel having a free end and being adapted to swing from a collapsed position, forming at least a partial closure for the tray, to an extended position, means for maintaining the side panels in the extended position, and a bag-like envelope forming a collapsible tent supported by and attached to the free ends of the extended panels and spanning therebetween, and presenting an opening between the side panels adjacent to only one end of the tray, wherein when the side panel are extended an enclosed space is created with an opening for entry and exit of the house pet, and when the side panels are collapsed the tray is covered by the side panels and the bag-like envelope for storage of unsoiled litter or disposal of soiled litter. 
     
     
       14. A receptacle as defined in claim 13 wherein means for retaining the side panels in the extended position comprises a rod including means for engaging the free ends of the side panels. 
     
     
       15. A receptacle as defined in claim 13 wherein the tray and side panels are composed of cardboard. 
     
     
       16. A receptacle as defined in claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the tray is covered with a water resistant film. 
     
     
       17. A receptacle as defined in claim 13 wherein the bag-like envelope includes a threshold barrier extending along a lower portion of the opening. 
     
     
       18. A receptacle as defined in claim 13 wherein the bag-like envelope is composed of plastic. 
     
     
       19. A receptacle as defined in claim 13 wherein the bag-like envelope comprises an odor absorbing material.